Will Bengals RB Gio Bernard be a receiver too?

Giovani Bernard set the Bengals franchise record for receptions by a running back last year with 56 for 514 yards. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson wants more.(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)

Few know better about utilizing unorthodox paths to the ultimate goal than Giovani Bernard. Whether reversing across Miami-Dade County against the Dolphins or opting for a trapeze act touchdown flying over two Packers, he's unafraid to pick the creative option.

So, the Bengals and new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson are interested in expanding his role as a wide receiver? Bernard couldn't care less where he lines up. Creativity lands as much in his area of expertise as spinning off tacklers.

"If I get the ball I'm always happy," he said. "I can't complain to be able to make a play no matter where it's from, no matter if it's in the backfield or if it's out wide."

Bernard issued a steady drum of team-first talking points discussing the possibilities of 2014, not surprising for a player who earned as much respect in the locker room as on the field racking up 1,209 yards from scrimmage last year.

What's best for the Bengals next year given the addition of 233-pound power rookie back Jeremy Hill into a crowded running backs room and re-dedication to power running game would be finding more ways to keep Bernard on the field.

The tinkering this offseason involves integrating him more into the passing game, particularly at slot receiver. At 5-foot-9, 208 pounds his height would remind of the departed Andrew Hawkins, but coaches view the concept by a different role model.

"We want to do more with him because he can do that," running backs coach Kyle Caskey said. "It's not just put him in the slot. We want him everywhere on the field. Make people guess where's he at. You have to make a decision to either play the run or play the pass. What do you do when he's on the field? He's a lot like Reggie Bush where you have to be aware at all times."

Bernard set the Bengals franchise record for receptions by a running back last year with 56 for 514 yards. By current standards, more could be done. Darren Sproles, Danny Woodhead, Matt Forte, Pierre Thomas and Jamaal Charles all caught at least 70 passes last season.

Bernard's experience lining up in the slot or out wide is limited. He rarely played receiver at North Carolina. Last year in the regular season, Bernard lined up in the slot 14 times and 28 times on the edge as a wide receiver, according to Pro Football Focus.

He ran 40 routes and was targeted nine times. Those resulted in five receptions for 56 yards with 45 of those coming after the catch. One target was picked off.

"We didn't do it as much as we would liked to have," Caskey said.

The majority of Bernard's receptions came checking down out of the backfield, but he sees an opportunity finding the cherished "space" to create from lining up in the slot.

"It's almost easier from the slot," Bernard said. "Think about it; if you're in the backfield you have to run five yards or six and a half or seven to get to the line of scrimmage and then you've got to push up five more yards, you've got to get through all of the crowd and you've got to check all of the protections. So it's almost a lot easier when you're on the slot where all you have to do is just run five yards to get to your spot."

Bernard expanded to point out coordinators want a certain player to end up in a certain spot on a play. Whether he originates from the slot, backfield, receiver or wherever means little. Caskey spends time these days cross-training the running backs and wideouts along with receivers coach James Urban. Techniques, route trees and blocking schemes must be familiar for all.

Bernard catches the ball well. Last year, PFF logged him as dropping four of 60 catchable passes. The 6.67 drop rate ranked him in the middle of the pack among running backs. However, his instincts in space are elite and why he ranked in the top eight of NFL backs in yards per route run.

"Put him in the backfield and do whatever you want, you don't have to pigeonhole yourself into he's a running back," Caskey said. "He's smart enough to handle it all."

And creative enough to embrace it.

"At the end of the day it's just about catching the ball and making positive yards," Bernard said. "I've been able to catch the ball out of the backfield. I know it's from a different spot, but at the end of the day it's still just catching."